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Government Innovation Showcase Ontario
Wednesday, 10 Sep 2025
7:30AM
Registration & Breakfast
7:30 AM - 8:30 AM (60 mins)
8:30AM
Welcome from Chair
8:30 AM - 8:45 AM (15 mins)
8:45AM
Ministerial Address
Embracing Innovation: Ontario’s Digital Transformation Roadmap
8:45 AM - 9:00 AM (15 mins)
9:00AM
Industry Insights
Leveraging Emerging Technologies for Public Sector Efficiency
9:00 AM - 9:20 AM (20 mins)
- Streamlining services to boost efficiency
- Ensuring transparency and secure processes
- Enhancing scalability and flexibility in operations
9:20AM
Keynote
Enhancing Citizen Services through Digital Innovation
9:20 AM - 9:40 AM (20 mins)
Jack Hamande
Director General Simplification & Digital Transformation, Belgian Federal Public Service Policy and Support
- Personalizing citizen services using AI
- Expanding access through user-friendly platforms
- Enhancing service quality with insights from data analytics.
9:40AM
Panel discussion
The Role of Technology in Enhancing Citizen Experience
9:40 AM - 10:10 AM (30 mins)
Greg Essensa
Chief Electoral Officer, Elections Ontario
- How can emerging technologies like AI and data analytics improve the personalization of citizen services?
- What challenges do governments face in integrating digital tools to enhance the citizen experience across multiple platforms?
- How can public sectors ensure that digital innovations remain inclusive and accessible to all citizens?
10:10AM
Industry Insights
AI-Powered Public Services: Revolutionizing Efficiency and Citizen Satisfaction
10:10 AM - 10:30 AM (20 mins)
- Automating routine tasks with AI to increase efficiency in public service delivery
- Using AI-driven insights to enhance citizen satisfaction through personalized services
- Reducing wait times and improving response accuracy with AI-powered virtual assistants
10:30AM
Refreshment Break
10:30 AM - 11:10 AM (40 mins)
11:10AM
Digital Services & Customer Experience
Chair Opening
11:10 AM - 11:20 AM (10 mins)
11:10AM
Data, Analytics and AI
Chair Opening
11:10 AM - 11:20 AM (10 mins)
11:10AM
IT Modernization and Cloud
Chair Opening
11:10 AM - 11:20 AM (10 mins)
11:10AM
Workforce, Skills and Capability
Chair Opening
11:10 AM - 11:20 AM (10 mins)
11:20AM
Keynote
Digital Services & Customer Experience
Driving Regulatory Innovation for Better Outcomes
11:20 AM - 11:40 AM (20 mins)
Rakhi Lad
Assistant Deputy Minister, Ministry of Red Tape Reduction
Morella Aguirre
Director, Strategic Policy and Research Branch, Ministry of Red Tape Reduction
- Improve policy agility to keep pace with innovation
- Reduce compliance burdens while maintaining oversight
- Adapt frameworks to support emerging technologies
11:20AM
Keynote
Data, Analytics and AI
Ethical AI: Balancing Innovation and Public Trust
11:20 AM - 11:40 AM (20 mins)
- Learn strategies to ensure ethical transparency in AI development.
- Understand methods to identify and address biases in AI systems.
- Discover how to align AI innovation with public trust and societal values.
11:20AM
Keynote
IT Modernization and Cloud
Innovating Public Sector IT: Embracing Emerging Technologies for Enhanced Governance
11:20 AM - 11:40 AM (20 mins)
- Implementing AI, blockchain, and cloud technologies to modernize governance
- Enhancing decision-making and operational efficiency through real-time data analytics
- Strengthening cybersecurity to protect digital public infrastructure and citizen data
11:20AM
Keynote
Workforce, Skills and Capability
Building Inclusive Digital Futures: Strategies for Equity and Inclusion in Government Technology
11:20 AM - 11:40 AM (20 mins)
- Gain insights into designing equitable and inclusive government tech solutions.
- Learn strategies to bridge digital divides and ensure accessibility.
- Explore best practices for fostering diversity in digital transformation initiatives.
11:40AM
Panel discussion
Digital Services and Customer Experience
Enhancing Citizen Engagement Through Digital Channels
11:40 AM - 12:10 PM (30 mins)
Honey Dacanay
Director-General, Digital Policy, Data and Digital Policy Sector, Treasury Board Secretariat, Government of Canada
Paul Johnson
City Manager, Toronto
- Utilizing social media and digital platforms to increase citizen participation and feedback in government services
- Streamlining communication with citizens through mobile apps, online portals, and AI-driven chatbots
- Ensuring inclusivity in digital engagement by addressing accessibility and digital literacy challenges across communities
11:40AM
Panel discussion
Data, Analytics & AI
AI Ethics in Action: Balancing Innovation and Accountability in Government
11:40 AM - 12:10 PM (30 mins)
Sumon Acharjee
Chief Information Officer, City of Markham
Mo Reghabi
Chief Digital Officer, Ontario One Call
- How can governments implement AI systems that are both innovative and ethically responsible?
- What frameworks ensure accountability and fairness in public sector AI applications?
- How can transparency in AI decision-making build public trust in government technologies?
11:40AM
Panel discussion
IT Modernization and Cloud
Overcoming Challenges in IT Modernization Projects
11:40 AM - 12:10 PM (30 mins)
Alex Coleman
Assistant Deputy Minister, Chief Information Officer, Children, Youth, Social Services
Kalyan Chakravarthy
Chief Information Officer, Electrical Safety Authority Ontario
- Managing legacy system integration while ensuring minimal disruption to ongoing services
- Addressing budget constraints and securing stakeholder buy-in for long-term IT modernization efforts
- Mitigating cybersecurity risks and ensuring data integrity during large-scale IT transformations
11:40AM
Panel discussion
Workforce, Skills and Capability
Upskilling the Workforce for the Digital Age
11:40 AM - 12:10 PM (30 mins)
Wendy Cukier
Professor of Entrepreneurship and Strategy, Founder and Academic Research Director, Diversity Institute | Women Entrepreneurship Knowledge Hub (WEKH) | Future Skills Centre
Suman Armitage
Director, Co-operative and Experiential Education, University of Waterloo
- Developing continuous learning programs to equip employees with emerging digital skills like AI, data analytics, and cybersecurity
- Addressing the digital skills gap through partnerships between government, private sector, and educational institutions
- Promoting a culture of adaptability and lifelong learning to ensure the workforce remains agile in a rapidly changing digital landscape
12:10PM
Industry Insights
Digital Services & Customer Experience
Next-Gen Customer Experience Solutions
12:10 PM - 12:30 PM (20 mins)
- Using AI to deliver personalized customer interactions
- Creating seamless experiences with omnichannel strategies
- Applying real-time data to predict and meet customer needs
12:10PM
Industry Insights
Data, Analytics and AI
AI Tools for Data-Driven Governance
12:10 PM - 12:30 PM (20 mins)
- Using AI to analyze large datasets and inform policy decisions
- Automating routine tasks to improve efficiency in governance
- Enhancing predictive capabilities to forecast public needs and trends
12:10PM
Industry Insights
IT Modernization and Cloud
Integrating Legacy Systems with Modern Technologies
12:10 PM - 12:30 PM (20 mins)
- Implementing APIs to bridge legacy systems with modern platforms
- Using middleware to enable smooth integration between old and new technologies
- Gradually modernizing core functions while maintaining legacy system stability
12:10PM
Industry Insights
Workforce, Skills and Capability
Leveraging Technology for Recruitment, Retention, and Employee Engagement
12:10 PM - 12:30 PM (20 mins)
- Using AI to streamline recruitment by identifying top candidates
- Offering digital learning tools to improve retention through upskilling
- Implementing engagement platforms for real-time feedback and collaboration
12:30PM
Networking Lunch
12:30 PM - 1:30 PM (60 mins)
1:30PM
Case Study
Digital Services & Customer Experience
Agile Service Delivery and User-Centered Design in the Ontario Public Service
1:30 PM - 1:50 PM (20 mins)
Lisa Yeung
Director, Strategic Initiatives, Ministry of Labour, Immigration, Training and Skills Development, Government of Ontario
Justin Alerta
Manager, Labour Relations Information Bureau, Labour Relations Solutions Division, Ministry of Labour, Immigration, Training and Skills Development, Government of Ontario
1:30PM
Fireside Chat
Data, Analytics & AI
Building Smarter Governments: Leveraging Data Science for Better Services
1:30 PM - 1:50 PM (20 mins)
- Using data science to anticipate citizen needs and proactively deliver services
- Enhancing engagement by analyzing citizen behavior and feedback in real-time
- Personalizing interactions based on data-driven insights to improve citizen satisfaction
1:30PM
Fireside Chat
IT Modernization and Cloud
Driving IT Modernization: Strategies for Enhancing Public Sector Efficiency and Innovation
1:30 PM - 1:50 PM (20 mins)
- Streamlining operations through cloud adoption and automation to boost efficiency and reduce costs
- Enhancing service delivery by modernizing legacy systems with new technologies like AI and data analytics
- Fostering innovation through agile development and cross-departmental collaboration on IT projects
1:30PM
Fireside Chat
Workforce, Skills and Capability
Employee Engagement in the Digital Era
1:30 PM - 1:50 PM (20 mins)
1:50PM
Industry Insights
Digital Services and Customer Experience
Innovative Tools for Digital Service Improvement
1:50 PM - 2:10 PM (20 mins)
- Leveraging AI-powered chatbots to provide faster, more efficient customer support
- Using data analytics to continuously monitor and optimize digital services
1:50PM
Industry Insights
Data, Analytics & AI
Advanced Analytics Solutions for Public Sector
1:50 PM - 2:10 PM (20 mins)
- Using predictive analytics to improve decision-making and optimize resource allocation
- Leveraging data visualization tools to enhance transparency and citizen engagement
- Employing real-time analytics for proactive service delivery and issue resolution
1:50PM
Industry Insights
IT Modernization and Cloud
Best Practices for Seamless Cloud Migration in the Public Sector
1:50 PM - 2:10 PM (20 mins)
- Conducting a comprehensive assessment of existing infrastructure before starting migration
- Explore phased migration strategies to minimize disruptions and manage risks effectively
- Highlight critical data governance and security practices needed to ensure compliance during cloud adoption
1:50PM
Industry Insights
Workforce, Skills & Capability
Leveraging AI and Analytics for Talent Management
1:50 PM - 2:10 PM (20 mins)
- Automating recruitment with AI for faster, data-driven hiring
- Using predictive analytics to identify talent gaps and future workforce needs
- Personalizing employee development plans with AI-driven insights
2:10PM
Keynote
Digital Services and Customer Experience
From Reactive to Proactive: Anticipating Citizen Needs in a Digital Era
2:10 PM - 2:30 PM (20 mins)
- Discover how predictive analytics can transform service delivery into proactive citizen support.
- Learn strategies for leveraging real-time data to anticipate and address public needs.
- Explore the role of advanced digital tools in building seamless, anticipatory service models.
2:10PM
Case Study
Data, Analytics and AI
Leveraging AI to Unlock Value in Unstructured Documents
2:10 PM - 2:30 PM (20 mins)
Lisa Yeung
Director, Strategic Initiatives, Ministry of Labour, Immigration, Training and Skills Development, Government of Ontario
Justin Alerta
Manager, Labour Relations Information Bureau, Labour Relations Solutions Division, Ministry of Labour, Immigration, Training and Skills Development, Government of Ontario
2:10PM
Keynote
IT Modernization and Cloud
Breaking Free from Legacy Systems: Charting a Practical Path to Government Modernization
2:10 PM - 2:30 PM (20 mins)
- Explore practical strategies to transition from legacy systems to modern IT infrastructures.
- Learn how to ensure seamless data migration and minimize service disruptions during modernization.
- Discover best practices for aligning IT modernization with scalability, security, and citizen-focused services.
2:10PM
Keynote
Workforce, Skills and Capability
Building the Government Workforce of the Future: Skills, Resilience, and Adaptability
2:10 PM - 2:30 PM (20 mins)
- Learn strategies to upskill public sector employees for a digitally-driven government.
- Discover approaches to fostering adaptability and resilience in the face of rapid technological change.
- Explore frameworks for attracting and retaining diverse, tech-savvy talent in the public sector.
2:30PM
Industry Insights
Digital Services and Customer Experience
Leveraging AI and Automation for Personalized Public Services
2:30 PM - 2:50 PM (20 mins)
- Using AI to personalize public services based on citizen data
- Automating tasks to improve service speed and efficiency
- Applying machine learning to enhance service personalization
2:30PM
Industry Insights
Data, Analytics and AI
Data Integration and Management Platforms for Seamless Collaboration
2:30 PM - 2:50 PM (20 mins)
- Integrating data across platforms to enable seamless collaboration between departments
- Using centralized data management tools to improve data accessibility and sharing
- Ensuring real-time data updates for more effective inter-agency collaboration
2:30PM
Industry Insights
IT Modernization and Cloud
Enhancing Security and Compliance in IT Modernization Projects
2:30 PM - 2:50 PM (20 mins)
- Strengthening security protocols to protect data during modernization
- Ensuring compliance through continuous monitoring and audits
- Using encryption and access controls to secure sensitive information
2:30PM
Industry Insights
Workforce, Skills and Capability
Integrating Technology for Better Employee Experience
2:30 PM - 2:50 PM (20 mins)
- Using digital tools to streamline workflows and boost efficiency
- Personalizing support with AI-driven platforms
- Enhancing collaboration with real-time communication tools
2:50PM
Panel discussion
Digital Services and Customer Experience
Future Trends in Digital Government
2:50 PM - 3:20 PM (30 mins)
Daphnee Nostrome
Director, Channel Strategy, Canadian Digital Service
- How can emerging technologies like AI and blockchain shape the future of citizen services in digital government?
- What role will data privacy and cybersecurity play as governments adopt more digital solutions?
- How can governments ensure digital inclusivity while embracing rapid technological advancements?
2:50PM
Panel discussion
Data, Analytics and AI
Data Governance and Privacy
2:50 PM - 3:20 PM (30 mins)
- How can governments ensure effective data governance while maintaining transparency and privacy?
- What strategies can be used to balance innovation and privacy in the era of big data?
- How can public institutions address the challenges of cross-border data governance and compliance?
2:50PM
Panel discussion
IT Modernization and Cloud
The Role of Emerging Technologies in Modern Government
2:50 PM - 3:20 PM (30 mins)
Jack Hamande
Director General Simplification & Digital Transformation, Belgian Federal Public Service Policy and Support
- How can governments leverage AI and automation to improve efficiency and service delivery?
- What are the key challenges in adopting emerging technologies like blockchain and IoT in public sector governance?
- How can modern governments ensure ethical use of emerging technologies while maintaining transparency and public trust?
2:50PM
Panel discussion
Workforce, Skills and Capability
Leadership and Change Management in the Digital Era
2:50 PM - 3:20 PM (30 mins)
Shabnam Ivković
Director - Employment Relations (Canadian & International), Co-operative Education, University of Waterloo
- How can leaders effectively drive digital transformation while managing resistance to change?
- What leadership qualities are essential for guiding organizations through rapid technological advancements?
- How can leaders foster a culture of adaptability and innovation in the face of constant digital disruption?
3:20PM
Digital Services and Customer Experience
Closing Remarks
3:20 PM - 3:30 PM (10 mins)
3:20PM
Data, Analytics and AI
Closing Remarks
3:20 PM - 3:30 PM (10 mins)
3:20PM
IT Modernization and Cloud
Closing Remarks
3:20 PM - 3:30 PM (10 mins)
3:20PM
Workforce, Skills & Capability
Closing Remarks
3:20 PM - 3:30 PM (10 mins)
3:30PM
Networking Reception
3:30 PM - 4:30 PM (60 mins)